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Dear England Tickets

National Theatre - Olivier

Closes 24th May

It’s coming home! Dear England returns to the National Theatre after an Olivier Award-winning run on the West End.

It’s Coming Home: Dear England Returns to the National Theatre!

Goal! Dear England, the smash-hit play from writer James Graham makes a triumphant return to the National Theatre’s Olivier stage, following a sell out, Olivier Award-winning transfer to the West End. A fictionalised account of manager Gareth Southgate's attempt to breathe life back into a languishing England squad, Dear England is “A Back-Of-The-Net Winner” (The I). You won’t want to miss it - come on England!

What is the play Dear England about?

England brought the beautiful game to the world - so why can’t they win? Manager Gareth Southgate needs to whip the England team into shape and inspire his penalty-fumbling players to “bring it home”. Dear England spans Southgate’s career, following him as he inspires, re-energises, and leads his team to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals and beyond. Funny, touching and thrilling in turn, Dear England played to sell out audiences at the National Theatre in 2023 before transferring to the West End - where it scored an Olivier Award. This fictionalised account is based on extensive research and interviews.

Described by The Telegraph as “a theatrical spectacle as uplifting as any England victory”, audiences are thrilled to see Dear England back on the National Theatre’s Olivier stage. And returning theatre goers will be in for a treat, as writer James Graham has updated the play following England’s performance in the 2024 Euros.

Don’t know your offside rule from your free kick? Not to worry, this epic production is “heart-in-mouth exciting enough to win over even those who don’t care about football” (The Standard).

Who are the cast and creatives of Dear England?

Casting for Dear England’s return to the National Theatre, includes Gwilym Lee (Bohemian Rhapsody) as Gareth Southgate, Liz White (Shadowlands) as psychologist Pippa Grainger and John Hodgkinson (The Ferryman) as Greg Clarke.

Dear England is by Olivier Award-winning writer James Graham, known for his punchy, politically charged pieces and much of his work - like Dear England - is often a fictionalised examination of explosive real life events. Graham’s previous credits include Brexit: The Uncivil War, This House, Quiz and musical Tammy Faye. Tony and BAFTA Nominated, Olivier Award-winning director Rupert Goold (King Charles III, The 47th, Ink) once again directs.

Score Tickets for Dear England at the National Theatre Now!

You won't want to miss this hilarious, moving and pitch-perfect production's triumphant return to the National Theatre so don’t score an own goal - book tickets for Dear England today!

Performance dates:
22 May 2025 - 24 May 2025
Running time:
2 hours and 50 minutes including an interval.
Age recommendation:
No age rating has been set. See Audience Notes for content warnings.
Audience Notes:

Dear England is a fictionalised account based on extensive research and interviews. It features characters inspired by some real-life individuals, and some composite characters entirely imagined by the author. The production features offensive language, strobe lights, bright lights directly focused at the audience and loud noises throughout.

Dear England Reviews

4.7
130 Reviews
  • 5 Stars75%
  • 4 Stars19%
  • 3 Stars5%
  • 2 Stars1%
  • 1 Stars0%

User Reviews

Verified

Very good show, helps you to understand what the whole team go through. You don't have to be a football fan to appreciate it.

Performance date: 06 May 2025
Verified

Dear England - So as someone who hates English nationalism and football this was always going to be a strange show to watch for me - it was also a difficult subject matter given all the (often negative) emotions attached to both. However I found this Read more

Performance date: 15 April 2025
Verified

The pysche of a nation in a funny and entertaining show.

Performance date: 12 May 2025
1/44
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